Jim Murray, the former Eagles general manager who helped the team return to prominence and opened the first Ronald McDonald House, died on August 25 at the age of 87 at his home in Bryn Mawr, writes Matt Breen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Growing up in West Philadelphia, Murray watched the Eagles at Franklin Field. After graduating from Villanova University, he spent time in minor league baseball in California before returning in 1965 to work for his alma mater. Four years later, he joined the Eagles as a publicist and was promoted to general manager by owner Leonard Tose in 1974. At just 36, Murray’s appointment drew criticism from some observers.
But Murray made several moves that brought the Eagles back to relevance, including convincing Tose to approach Dick Vermeil, who had just led UCLA to a Rose Bowl victory. While Vermeil was initially uninterested, Murray’s pitch ultimately won him over.
“He told Vermeil, ‘You’re never going to leave here,’” said Murray’s son Jim. “And he still has a home here.”
By January 1981, the Eagles reached their first Super Bowl with Murray as the general manager.
Read more about Jim Murray in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
